ENG Batsman James Taylor Forced to Retire Due to Heart Condition

Nottinghamshire and England batsman James Taylor has been forced to retire at the age of just 26 because of a “very serious” heart condition, his county announced today.

Taylor, who won the last of his seven caps in England’s most recent Test against South Africa at Centurion three months ago, withdrew from Nottinghamshire’s opening and ongoing County Championship match at home to Surrey because of illness.

The Midlands county announced on its website on Tuesday that “specialist scans revealed yesterday (Monday) that the 26-year-old has the very serious heart condition, ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia).” Taylor, whose condition requires surgery, told his Twitter followers:

His diagnosis is similar to that of former Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba, whose career was cut short after he collapsed on the pitch in 2012.

It is both shocking and saddening to hear that James’ career has been cut short in such a sudden and unexpected manner. Throughout his career, he has constantly impressed with his determination to make the absolute most of his ability, and it is immensely cruel that such a hard-working player will be unable to fulfil his great potential in the international arena.The ECB will work closely with Nottinghamshire and together we will do everything possible to help James through this difficult period, and aid him in his recovery.

Taylor made his class debut for Leicestershire in 2008, while he made his test debut against South Africa at Headingley four years later. But after those first two caps in 2012, he had to wait more than three years for another Test appearance.

Recent months had witnessed some of Taylor’s best international performances.

Although his seven Tests, in which he averaged a modest 26, did not yield a hundred, with his top score of 76 coming against Pakistan in Sharjah in November last year.

Taylor also made 27 one-day international appearances, averaging 42.33, with his lone century scored against Australia at Old Trafford in September.

His first-class career saw Taylor score more than 9,000 runs, at average of over 46, including 20 hundreds.